Muzzle.



PATENTED NOV. 21, 1905.

E. V. ONBAL.

MUZZLE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 24.1905.

.ZTICOne at ELISHA V. ONEAL, OF RAVENSVOOD, LOUISIANA.

MUZZLE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 21, 1905.

Application filed Tune 24, 1905. Serial No. 266,902.

T0 ail whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ELIsHA V. ONEAL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ravenswood, in the parish of Pointe Coupee and State of Louisiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Muzzles, of which the following is a specification.

This invention consists of a novel construction of muzzle for animals and involves a means of this type which is comparatively simple structurally, at the same time being possessed of the required substantiality for all of the purposes of the invention.

An essential feature of the invention is comprised in the provision of a muzzle which may be opened at either end to permit application thereof to the animal at either end. Further, the end of the muzzle which is normally closed in the actual use thereof is adapted to be opened in order to permit the animal to feed without giving rise to the trouble and time ordinarily required in order to remove the muzzle for feeding purposes, as iscommonly done.

Another advantageous feature of the invention resides in the construction of the inuzzle whereby the same may be readily collapsed, so as to take up a minimum amount of space when the same is not in use.

For a full description of the invention and the merits thereof and also to acquire a knowledge of the details of construction of the means for effecting the result reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, in Which Figure .1 is a perspective View of a muzzle embodying the invention applied. Fig. 2 is a side elevation showing the muzzle open so as to permit feeding of the animal. Fig. 3 is a view showing the muzzle collapsed.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the same reference characters.

In carrying out the invention a muzzle embodying the same consists, primarily, of opposing end frames 1, which are loosely connected together by means of link members 2, said members 2 consisting of curved bars arranged in sets, one set of the link members 2 having pivotal connection with one of the end frames 1, whereas the other set is similarly connected with the other of the end frames 1. The sets of link members 2 are hingedly connected at their adjacent curved portions, as

shown at 3, the connection being established, preferably, by wrapping a light wire about the adjacent curved portions of the members 2, thereby securing the same together in the manner above indicated. The curved bars composing the members 2 are formed with eyes 4 at their extremities, which receive the end frames 1, and in the preferred adaptation of the invention said end frames 1 are of ap proximately circular form. Adjacent end portions of the link members 2, connecting the frames 1, are overlapped, so that when the frames 1 are forced together the overlapping arrangement of the members 2 facilitates a simultaneous movement thereof as said members 2 move outwardly to permit the frames 1 to come together as the muzzle is collapsed. If desired, short rods 5 may be used to connect the end frames 1 with those portions of the link members 2 which are hingedly connected. as shown at 3. In the drawings one of the end frames 1 is shown connected by a short rod 5 with the outer curved portions of the link members 2.

The body of the muzzle is composed of the members 1 and 2, .before described, and is of course of a skeleton structure in view of the form of these members. Opposite ends of the body of the muzzle may be closed or opened, one end, of course, being open always when the muzzle is in use, the other end being normally closed for purposes of protection, but adapted to be opened to permit the animal to feed without removing the device. The means for closing the ends of the muzzle consist of members which will be called frame members 6, said members 6 being of substantially the same form as the individual link members 2, though not performing the same function. Each of the frame members 6 is pivotally connected at its ends with the end frame to which it is attached, and the frame members of each of the end frames 1 overlap at the ends in order that movement of one member may cause simultaneous movement of the other members, this facilitating the operation of opening and closing the frames 1 in manipulating the members 6 aforesaid.

The members 6 are adapted to be moved outwardly until they assume positions in which they rest against the outer sides of the adjacent members 2, and thus when the normally closed end of the muzzle is opened the members 6, which close such end normally, may

posite side of the frame 1.

be readily moved outwardly until they rest against the adjacent members 2,and themouth of the animal will be so exposed as to permit ready feeding without necessitating removal of the device. To hold the members 6 in positions in which an end of the muzzle will be closed, a connecting member 7 is utilized, said member 7 having hooks 8 at opposite ends one hook adapted to engage one of the frame members 6 and the other adapted to engage a second frame member, preferably at the op- As the several frame members 6 at opposite ends of the muzzle are arranged for simultaneous movement, when one of these frame members is held in a certain position the others are likewise held rigidly in place, so that the member 7 will readily position the members 6 to hold the same closed when said member 7 is engaged with two of the members 6, in the manner hereinbefore described and shown most clearly in the drawings.

When the device is collapsed, the frames 1 are forced together and the link members 2 rest almost in contact with each other. Like wise the frame members 6 are arranged substantially in contact, and the muzzle assumes a flat form, occupying a comparatively small amount of space, as shown most clearly in the drawings.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is- 1. In a muzzle, the combination of end frames, link members connecting said frames, frame members for one of the end frames arranged to close the adjacent end of the muzzle, the end frames, links and frame members being adapted to be collapsed so that the muzzle will be of approximately flat form.

2. In a muzzle, a body including an end frame, and frame members operatively arranged for simultaneous movement carried by said end frame and movable to open and close the adjacent end'of the muzzle.

3. In a muzzle, a body including an end frame, and frame members overlapping each other at adjacent ends, whereby they are movable simultaneously, said members being pivoted to the aforesaid frame and movable to open or close an end of the muzzle.

L. A muzzle composed of opposing end frames, link members connecting the end frames, and frame members carried by one of the end frames and movable to open or close the adjacent end of the muzzle.

5. A muzzle composed of opposing end frames, link members connecting said end frames, and frame members carried by each of the end frames and movable to open or close either end of the muzzle.

6. In a muzzle, a body including an end frame, frame members carried by the said frame and movable to open and close the adjacent end of the muzzle, and a member for connecting certain of the frame members to hold the same in a position closing an end of the muzzle.

7. A muzzle comprising a body, and means for closing or opening said muzzle at either of opposite ends.

8. A muzzle comprising opposing end frames, links pivoted to each end frame and hingedly connected so as to connect the end frames, frame members for each end frame adapted to close or open the adjacent end of the muzzle, means for holding the frame members in such a position as to close the adjacent end of the muzzle, said frame members being arranged for simultaneous movement, connections of the parts aforesaid being such that the muzzle may be collapsed to assume an approximately flat form when out of use.

9. A muzzle composed of opposing end frames; link members loosely connecting said frames and permitting movement of the frames toward each other, and frame members carried by each of the end frames to close either of opposite ends of the muzzle and 0peratively connected with each other for simultaneous movement.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ELISHA V. ONEAL. [L. s]

Witnesses:

E. J. LYoNs. L. H. BARLOW. 

